The Broke and The Bookish this week have asked for our Top Ten Best or Worst Movie Adaptations. Lucky for me, or unlucky depending how you look at it, I did this topic a few weeks ago for a freebie. So you can go check that out here.
Category Archives: film
Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Rewind – Top Ten Movie Adaptations
This week I have picked from The Broke and The Bookish rewind list Top Ten Movie Adaptations. However I am not going to write the normal top ten layout I am going to share me favourite and worst adaptations and the couple that sit on the fence.
Favourite Adaptations – For me these are the adaptations that I think kepp well to the books of in the case of the last two are even better than the books.
- Now is Good
- The Chronicles of Narnia
- The Hunger Games
- The Hobbit
- The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Worst Adaptation – For different reasons these are bad adaptations. The first is mostly due to bad actors, the second is because they put too much of the rest of the series in and the last because the completely changed the ending. Although I did still cry the first time I saw it.
- Twilight
- Cirque Du Freak – The Vampires Assistant
- My Sister’s Keeper
Adaptations on the Fence – These films are ones that I do actually really enjoy however they do waver from the book so I can’t say they are my favourite.
- Harry Potter Series
- The Wizard of Oz
What Are Your Favourite And Worst Movie Adaptations?
2012 End of Year Book Survey
I have been thinking about review my bookish year on my blog for the past month and came across this lovely survey created by The Perpetual Page-Turner that she has been creating for the past few years. With New Year almost here and this being my first year as I blogger I am going to use it to look back over my year and hopefully relive some great moments. I think overall it’s been a good year and that includes for my reading and blogging.
Best in Books 2012
1. Best Book Read in 2012? There was an option to put these books but genre but I think I do havea favourite book of this year and that’s Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire. I’m not sure why I loved this book because in theory its a girly love story but I just couldn’t put it down.
2. Book you were excited about and thought you were going to love more but didn’t? I was so looking forward to reading Warm Bodies by Issac Marion this summer but sadly I felt like it lacked energy.
3. Most surprising (in a good way) book of 2012? Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver The first book in this series was a bit disappointing so I wasn’t sure what to expect from the second book however it was written slightly differently and it was so much better.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012? Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson This book was recommended to me by a friend and since I’ve read it I have told everyone I know who loves reading about it.
5. Best series you discovered in 2012? This question depends on if it is a new series that isn’t finished yet or a whole one you only read this year. I think I’m going to say the Divergent series by Veronica Roth though as this was the first dystopian I picked up after The Hunger Games and it matched up to it for me.
6.Favourite new author you discovered in 2012? It’s hard to pick a favourite because some authors I read more books of that other’s but I am going to say Jamie McGuire and Patrick Ness
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you? The Black Pear by Allan Porter This free kindle book was just something that sounded a bit different and I wasn’t sure what to expect but it was totally different from everything else I have read else I had read and I really enjoyed it.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012? Before I Go To Sleep by SJ Watson This book has you questioning everyone and their motives in it the whole way through and the end will still surprise you.
9. Book you read in 2012 that you are most likely to re-read next year? Slated by Teri Terry I feel I didn’t really understand the ending of this book so I am going to re-read it before the next book in the series comes out.
10. Favourite cover of a book you read in 2012? Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
11. Most memorable character of a book you read in 2012? This is also a difficult question I don’t think I can narrow it down to one. Katniss from The Hunger Games of course is one but also Travis from Beautiful Disaster, Link from the Caster Chronicles and Harmony from Bumped.
12. Most beautifully written book you read in 2012? Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein I find this really hard to answer but I have gone for this book because it handled war and the reality of being a prisoner of war really well.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012? Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews This was the most intense book I have ever written and there was so many moments in it that till fill me with emotion.
14. Book you can’t believe you waiting until 2012 to finally read? This one is quite easy to answer really there is The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness and Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I am finally able to say I have read Jane Austen and I can now count my self as a true book lover.
15. Favourite quote/passage from a book you read in 2012?
“In approved places, every story serves a purpose. But forbidden books are so much more. Some of them are webs; you can feel your way along their threads, but just barely, into strange and dark corners. Some of them are balloons bobbing up through the sky: totally self-contained, and unreachable, but beautiful to watch.
And some of them- the best ones- are doors.”Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver pg 152
16. Shortest & Longest books you read in 2012? Callum by Malorie Blackman was shortest at only 66 pages and the longest was re-reading Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer at 756 pages.
17. Book that had a scene in it that had you reeling and dying to talk to someone about? This in an interesting question, I think I will have to say Flowers in the Attic by Virginia Andrews, it was full of scenes that had my heart pounding and my mind racing.
18. Favourite relationship from a book you read in 2012? I have two answers for this one, my favourite friendship was between Queenie and Maddie from Code Name Verity. My favourite romance however was between Link and Ridley from the Caster Chronicles because it was so dysfunctional yet you could tell they really felt something more for one another.
19. Favourite book from an author you read previously? The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer, I finally got around to reading it and I was surprised to find that I actually really enjoyed it.
20. Best book you read based solely on a recommendation from someone else? The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness. Ever since I started blogging I have read continuous good reviews about this book so I got it out of the library to give it a shot and I had to agree with all the good comments I had read.
Book Blogging/Reading Life 2012
1. New favourite book blog you discovered in 2012? The Broke and The Bookish is by far my favourite blog of this year because it allowed me to discover lots of other people who blog about books and brought people to my blog.
2. Favourite review that you wrote in 2012? This is really hard to answer as I am still not totally sure what makes a good post but I think my review of Flowers in the Attic is good because I had so much emotion still in me from reading it when I wrote it.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog? I didn’t have many discussions on my blog, just comments that I replied to. hopefully next year I can change that.
4. Most thought provoking review or discussion you read on someone else blog? Jacket Musings: Gemma Malley by Words and Pieces I really liked this post cause it brought about the fact that books are judged by their covers.
5. Best event you participated in? This year I went back to the Edinburgh International Book Festival for this first time in years and I had a great time.
6. Best moment of book blogging 2012? Because this is my first year of blogging my favourite part has been getting comments, every one I get excites me still.
7. Most popular post this year on your blog? I have picked the post for most popular based on comments so with 10 comments by top post was Top Ten Tuesday – Freebie – Top Ten Classics I Want To Read.
8. Post you wished got a little more love? I think this one has to be my movie review of Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 2 because the film really surprised me and filled me with excitement I really want to know what other people thought of the film.
9. Best bookish discovery? The Top Ten Tuesday meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish as it has really helped me fill my blog and improve my reviews.
10. Did you complete and reading challenges/goals that you had set yourself at the beginning of this year? My only challenge this year was the Goodread’s 2012 Reading Challenge. I had set myself the goal of 75 books and I am currently on book 84.
Looking Ahead
1. One book you didn’t get round to read in 2012 but will be your number 1 priority in 2013? This year I discovered dystopian and picked up Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. I haven’t read it yet but I got it as a Christmas present and can’t wait to get started on it.
2. Book you are most anticipating in 2013? Angel Fever by L.A. Weatherly is due out at sometime next year though the date keeps getting moved. I can’t wait to see how this series will end.
3. One thing you hope to accomplish or do in your reading/blogging 2013? I have a few challenges for next year but I think what I really want to do is read more classics, I think I will aim for at least 6 as this allows me to do some of the other bookish challenges I have signed up for.
I hope everyone has a great New Year and enjoys a bookish 2013!
Happy Christmas – Top Ten Tuesday – Top Ten Freebie – Top Ten Bookish Gifts – Top Ten Christmas Movies
Merry Christmas !!! Hope You are having a great day and have been given lots of books from Santa 🙂
As it is Christmas today, this weeks topic from The Broke and The Bookish is Top Ten Books Freebie as I am sure there will be lots of people who wont be posting today because they are having lots of fun. I must admit I probably wont be on my blog today but thanks to the power of scheduling I actually wrote this post over a month ago.
In keeping with the theme of they day my list today is my Top Ten Bookish Gifts. These my 10 favourite book/ book related gifts I have received, and one I am hoping Santa may bring this year.
1. M.Edge Reading Light
This light is designed to go along with my kindle cover but it also make a great general reading light. There is a slit in my cover for the light to slip in by there is also a bit on it so you can add it to the cover of a paper back too making it good for any kind of reading. The other great thing about it that there is three different strengths of light so it is totally versatile.
2. Dictionary
This is possibly my favourite bookish gift ever. I have been given a dictionary as a gift twice in my life and both of them I have loved. I have always had issues spelling so it is very useful for that but I also love it because I love words. I’m not sure why but it is interesting how so many words exist and when you are reading a book and come across new words I know I have my dictionary handy to look them up.
3. Kindle
There is much debate among book lovers over e-readers but because I was going camping for three week I really needed a more convenient way to be able to read. I do love my kindle because it saves me so much space and weight when travelling but also money as the books are cheaper and you get some interesting free reads.
4. M.Edge Kindle Cover
After I got my kindle I was desperate for a cover for it because it felt wrong not being able to hold it like a real book. This is a really sturdy cover but still looks stylish.
5. Roald Dhal Treasury
I have had this book for a long time and have lost the dust cover for it but I love it. It is full of extracts from his books, some of his shorter stories and information about him and his illustrator. It is a lovely gift for someone who loves his work and is still available today.
6. Am I Bovvered The Catherine Tate Show Scripts
The Catherine Tate Show was one of my favourites when I was a young teenager and I went through a phase of quoting the more well known catchphrases.
7. Italian Key Phrases Bookmark
This was a gift given to me before I went to Italy for the first time. It’s full of really useful phrases and with the magnet on it meant that I could put it in the book I was reading there and not loose it.
8. The Jane Austen Complete Collection
I have still never read any of these books but I love having them all because I do want to read them eventually.
9. The Chronicles of Narnia
Santa brought me this collection last year after I put it on my list. The films are always shown at Christmas and I really wanted something to read the had a Christmas feel too it. I am only two stories in but hopefully this Christmas I’ll get a bit further.
10. Personal Library Kit
This is the one that is on my list for this year. I am always loaning books to my friends who then take them off to uni and would be great to be able to keep track of them.
As a little extra I am also putting up my Top Ten Favourite Christmas Movies. If I am honest I usually watch films around Christmas rather than read. I haven’t read many Christmas themed books so it is Christmas films that really get me in the spirit. For are change, here are my favourites IN ORDER!
1. Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
This will always be my favourite Christmas film, I love Mara Wilson’s character, she is so clever for her age but still so young and full of hope. I also think Richard Attenborough makes the best Santa.
This play on words make this film a great watch, I love the idea that it really is a clause.
3. Fred Clause
Being the brother of Santa must be really hard work and this film shows that in a comic way.
4. Santa Who
Imagine the chaos if Santa really did loose his memory?
5. The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (2005)
I’m not sure if this really counts as a Christmas movie but it is also played around Christmas time and so it always puts me in the Christmas spirit. I think because it is also about having a little faith in something magical that makes so many happy.
6. Mary Poppins
I know this isn’t a Christmas film at all but this is also one that is played around Christmas. It’s another one with a little bit or magic to it.
7. The Greatest Store In The World (1999 BBC Film)
I can remember seeing this for the first time on CBBC and thinking it was actually quite scary. The men that are trying to rob the store still freak me out. But it shows how all parents will do anything to give their kids some sort of magic at Christmas and it will also remind me of being a kid at Christmas.
8. Elf
This is just a really fun feel good film and after my Religion teacher went on about it for a whole year it will always remind me of her.
9. Jack Frost (1998)
When we were little we use to all watch this together at Christmas time. Although I like other films now to put my in the mood for Christmas I feel it is tradition still to watch this.
As is often the case with sequels this film isn’t as good as the first but is till a good film and make me feel Christmasy.
Hope Everyone is Having A Great Day. Happy Holidays.
Great Expectations – Movie Review
It has been quite a few years since I have read Great Expectations. I think it was the first book we read in English in 2nd year. If I am honest at the time I don’t think I particularly enjoyed it. At the time I was definatly more into reading for pleasure and it only now I am proud of myself for having at least read one classic in my life. There are a few memories of it though. I did remember most of the characters and a lot of the plot, though I will admit I looked up a quick summary before going to see the film. My one good memory of reading the book was discovering the word dilapidated. I have a thing about words, I just love them and I think this started it because I have never forgotten it.
However when it comes to this film it was one of the things that disappointed me. Dilapidated is defined on Google as; In a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect. In the new film I thought Satis house didn’t look at all like it was falling apart. The other thing I was unsure about was David Walliams. As it is been so long since I have read the book I am not totally sure how his character is suppose to come across but he seemed very comical and like himself, and with his posh clothing I kept thinking of him dressed as a women in Little Britain.
That is my moaning over though as I had to say I was mostly pleased by the film. I think it managed to keep the book very well and I even noticed a few lines that I remember from the book. I liked the actors that played most of the characters, particularly Jeremy Irvine as Pip. Helena Bonham Carter also made a very good Miss Havisham with her creepy eyes and I enjoyed seeing Jessie Cave playing a grown up character.
I must admit though that as with the book I found the ending so unsatisfying.
Movie Review: The Twilight Saga- Breaking Dawn Part Two – OMG!
Having finally calmed down enough to work a laptop I feel I need to blog about seeing the final film of The Twilight Saga while I am still at this immense emotional level.
Today I had a few friends over to have a Twilight-a-thon. It all sounds a bit cheesy but whilst a lot of people around my age see Harry Potter as the book of their childhood I didn’t read them till recently and it was the Twilight books I waiter eager for the next book to be published. When the first film was released I went to see it was at least 6 other friends that had read the books (bar 1) and working out we would be at uni by the last film we said we would get together for it. Sadly things didn’t stay as they were but 4 of our original group plus a great new friend got together to enjoy reliving a little part of our childhood and feel relief at the last film being over.
The film was intense right from the very beginning. Before the opening titles even began I had butterflies in my stomach and I think I was shaking through the entire movie. It began with a very different opening sequence to what we have seen on the previous films. A lot more picturesque like a nature show. What I did like though was that it began exactly at the end of the previous film, with Bella’s open eyes. Of course there were errors right from the beginning. Simple things like Bella not feeling nervous about jumping the river and her dress not ripping. However other things like her reacting to Jacob imprinting on Renesmee and Bella and Emmet having their arm wrestle made up for that.
The actors of the other vampires that came to be witness to Renesmee were also good. I particularly liked Benjamin and Alistair was really creepy. Of the original characters Emmet was really good in this film again, with some well placed comic lines. I also felt that Kristin Stewart final made a bit more sense as Bella. Having seen them all now it almost makes sense that as her character didn’t feel right as a human but did as a vampire her acting would similar but it has taken this long to appreciate that this may be the case. Also I final felt that Bella and Edward had a little more chemistry. (Joey from the Friends TV who once said that people on stage only have chemistry when they are not together for real so I think that’s why they didn’t in the other films and as she was cheating on him for a bit recently so that’s why they do in this one).
If you haven’t seen the film yet but have read the book and seen the movie trailer you are probably wondering how and why they have put in a fight scene. I don’t want to give anything away here because you will only get to feel the true power of the experience this film for the first time once so all I am saying is the best decision was made to make the second half of this book into a movie.
It may sound extreme but before going in I really wasn’t expecting too like this movie and I was surprised at other people’s reviews. Now however I understand them. I really think they best decisions were made to turn this book into a film other wise it would have been a bit boring and the mistakes and changes would have annoyed me and made it an awful film. However I think this film will only being so good the first time you see it, as long as you don’t know what going to happen, as it is the decisions made the are unexpected that made it such a good show and you will only get that once.
If you have read the book I really think you should go see this film. I think you will appreciate it.
Please let me know what you think? I would love to chat about it more.
Beautiful Creatures; THE MOVIE
I genuinely cannot believe they are making this books into a film.
This is a book I read recently and although it is not one of my favourite reads I really don’t want to see this book made into a movie.
I have watched the trailer three times now and I am really not impressed. I don’t like anything about it. They cast seem way to grown up and when I was reading it I didn’t picture them as that old fashioned.
Despite this, I will want to go see the film, although I may just wait till it is out on DVD and rent it as it is cheaper.
Have you read this book? What do you think of making it into a film? Do you like the trailer?
Books For Breakfast 